23 OCTOBER 1993, Page 28

Latin lover

Sir: Does Geoffrey Wheatcroft (Books, 9 October) dismiss the nuances of Latin gen- der as some ancient form of political cor- rectness? Or is his use of inter alias, while chronicling the amorous adventures of Sir Peregrine (leg-over legend') Worsthome, a coded message that the George Melly story is true, after all?

Anthony Holden,

5 Ravenscourt Square, London W6